Câmpulung Moldovenesc – Pârâul Mesteacăn – Munceii Rarăului – Cabana Rarău

What the walking is like

The trail that starts practically at our gate: the entrance is on Calea Transilvaniei, and the first kilometre and a half climbs through dense spruce forest between Măgura Runcului and Runc. Then pastures and hay meadows, with Prașca Peak ahead and all of Câmpulung behind you. Next come Obcina Flocească, Gura Plaiului peak (1,308 m) and the string of hillocks, the “Munceii Înșirați”, up to the saddle below Rarău, where it joins the road to the hut.

What we'd tell you at the gate

• The Pârâul Mesteacăn spring is 600 m from the house; fill your bottle before you leave.
• A long trail but with no technical sections; ideal as a “big day” on foot, returning on trail 1.
• Sheepfolds on the way: the dogs bark, they don't bite, as long as you don't run.

Not to miss on the way

• 1

  The Pietrele Doamnei stand at 1,634 m and are reef limestone: the corals of a warm sea 140 million years ago, raised to the sky. Legend has it that Petru Rareș's wife hid her treasure here, and the mountain's name comes from Rareș.

• 2

  Geo Bogza wrote that Rarău "here represents the fundamental dimension of the world". Up there, with Bucovina at your feet, you understand him.

• 3

  Since July 2025 Piatra Șoimului (1,577 m) has had Romania's first skywalk: a platform with a toughened-glass floor, shaped like a falcon's nest, hanging 600 m above the valley. Maximum 12–15 people on it; the panoramic binoculars are free.

What else you can do on the trail

• Trail running: Bucovina Ultra Rocks, the July mountain race, passes this way.
• Photography: sunrise in the forest and morning mist between the trunks; tripod recommended.
• Skywalk: the glass platform at Piatra Șoimului (2025), ten minutes from the hut.

What grows and what moves along the trail

The species above are those documented in the area by the protected-area administration; what you see depends on season, hour and luck.

How long it takes, honestly

A linear trail: the time is one way (A → B). If you return the same way, add about two thirds; or leave a car at the far end / take the train. The duration is the one in Suceava County's official guide (Salvamont); the kilometres and driving minutes to the trailhead are from Google Maps.

• 5 hoursone way, A to B, at your usual pace
• 3 hoursback the same way (estimate)
• 8 hoursout and back, with short breaks
• 6–8 hoursone way, if you stop for photos and eat on the grass
• 8–9 hoursone way, with children, grandparents or a pack full of “just in case”